Southampton were one of the three clubs to return to the Premier League this season and Russell Martin was instrumental in helping them secure promotion.
Southampton are currently at bottom of the table and parted ways with the manager last weekend.
Russell Martin’s exit could help Armel Bella-Kotchap regain his place at St Mary’s. That’s according to the defender himself and he explained this during a chat with [Bild](https://www.bild.de/sport/fussball/bella-kotchap-verraet-mein-bayern-wechsel-platzte-in-letzter-sekunde-6765377c72569a4cab5cd26c).
The Germany international came off the bench in the Saints’ EFL Cup win over Cardiff City in August and that’s been his only appearance of this season.
He returned to Southampton in the summer, after spending last season on loan at PSV Eindhoven.
The defender’s decision to leave for the Dutch club in the summer of 2023 didn’t please Russell Martin and the manager decided to leave the centre-back out of his core plans this season. He revealed this when Bild asked why he struggled for minutes this season.
_“I moved to Eindhoven on loan after Southampton were relegated in 2023. I had an injury there and never really got going,”_ he said.
_“When I went back to England in the summer, the coach preferred to use the promoted team. He didn’t like the fact that I wanted to leave after relegation. But at the time, I wanted to take the next sporting step that I thought was right. With these two views, we never really came together.”_
The 23-year-old has revealed he held talks with the Southampton officials, who have now given him assurance.
_“I’ve spent the last two days talking intensively with the club managers, who assured me that they are very keen on me and that I will get my chance under the new coach,”_ Bella-Kotchap explained.
Bild asked the player if he’s thinking about a transfer, considering he recently changed agents.
_“I know that first and foremost I have to fight my way back into the team and play games. That’s what I’m burning for,”_ he added.
_“But it’s also important for me to reorganise the environment in my situation. I have to deliver my performance, that’s all I can influence. If that’s right, my team of advisors can then put the necessary things in place to get my career moving in the right direction again._
_“I also want to make myself interesting for the national team again. I want to get back to where I was before as quickly as possible. Also with regard to the 2026 World Cup.”_